Witch-hazel is the astringent shrub behind half the bottles on the bathroom shelf — but you can also work with the plain dried leaves at home. This page covers which parts to use, how to build an infusion, a decoction and a cooling compress, what the taste is like, and who should leave it alone.
Leaves in midsummer to late summer; bark and young sprigs in early autumn or late winter
Taste
Strongly astringent, tannic, faintly bitter and woody — it dries the mouth
The leaves and bark carry the tannins herbalists work with
A short history
Native American peoples used the bark and leaves as washes and poultices long before Europeans arrived.
Colonists adopted the plant and carried it to Europe in the 18th century, where it entered the apothecary trade.
Distilled witch-hazel water became one of the most widely sold plant preparations in English-speaking countries.
Today it remains a staple of herbal skincare: toners, after-shave splashes, cooling gels and eye compresses.
What it is credited with
Astringency. Herbalists class witch-hazel among the classic astringent plants, thanks to its tannin content — the tightening, drawing sensation you feel on the skin.
Tired, heavy legs. Naturopathy credits the leaf infusion with a toning reputation for the veins, and it is traditionally recommended as a cool leg wash at the end of a long day standing.
Everyday skin comfort. Traditional use turns to compresses and lotions for chafed, reddened or irritated skin, and for skin left sore after shaving.
Puffy eyes. A folk habit in many households: a cooled, well-strained compress laid over closed eyelids for a few minutes.
Mouth and gums. In traditional herbalism the cooled decoction was used as a mouth rinse for minor gum and mouth soreness.
Discomfort from piles. Herbal tradition has long used cool witch-hazel compresses to ease the local discomfort and itching associated with haemorrhoids.
Small nicks and grazes. A cooled wash has an old reputation for cleansing and settling minor scrapes once they have been rinsed with clean water.
How to use it
Leaf infusion (to drink)
Use about 1 teaspoon of dried witch-hazel leaves per cup.
Pour water just off the boil over the leaves, cover, and let steep 10 to 15 minutes.
Strain well. Traditional practice suggests up to 3 cups across the day, taken in short spells of a week or two rather than continuously.
The taste is frankly tannic, like over-brewed black tea. A slice of lemon, a little honey or a pinch of mint makes it far easier to drink.
Bark and leaf decoction (mostly for external use)
Put roughly 1 oz (30 g) of leaves into a cup of cold water — starting cold draws out more of the tannins.
Bring to a simmer and hold it there 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how much liquid you are making.
Take off the heat, cover, and leave to stand overnight.
Strain the next day and use it within 48 hours, kept in the fridge.
Compress
Make the decoction as above, adding about ⅓ oz (10 g) of young sprigs and strips of bark per ¼ quart (¼ litre).
Leave it to stand overnight, then strain through a fine cloth so no fragments remain.
Soak a clean cotton pad or folded cloth, wring it lightly, and lay it on the area for 5 to 10 minutes.
Use it cool or cold — the chill is half the relief. Repeat two or three times a day on intact skin.
Ready-made preparations
Distilled witch-hazel water is the simplest option: dab it on with cotton wool as a toner or after-shave splash.
Choose an alcohol-free version if your skin is dry or reactive.
Creams and gels combining witch-hazel with other plants are widely sold for leg and skin comfort.
Choosing the right witch-hazel preparation
Form
How it is made
What it is traditionally used for
Infusion
1 tsp dried leaves per cup, steeped 10–15 min, covered
Drunk as a herbal tea; credited in naturopathy with a toning reputation for heavy legs
Decoction
Leaves started in cold water, simmered 15–30 min, left to stand overnight
Cooled and used as a skin wash or mouth rinse in traditional herbalism
Compress
Decoction plus young sprigs and bark, strained, used cold on a cloth
Applied to chafed skin, puffy eyelids, or the discomfort of piles
Distilled witch-hazel water
Commercial steam distillate of bark and twigs
Everyday toner and after-shave splash for oily or reddened skin
Ribbon-petalled flowers open when the shrub is bare
Frequently Asked Questions
The one thing to remember: make a strong decoction of the dried leaves, leave it overnight, strain it well and use it cold on a compress — that is witch-hazel at its most useful and its most forgiving.
Can I drink witch-hazel tea every day?
Herbal tradition treats it as a short-course plant rather than a daily habit, because of its high tannin content. Up to three cups a day for a week or two, then a break, is the usual pattern. Never take it on an empty stomach, and space it well away from any medication or iron supplement.
What does witch-hazel taste like?
Strongly astringent and tannic, rather like black tea left to brew far too long, with a faint woody bitterness. It puckers the mouth. Honey, lemon or a pinch of mint makes the infusion much more pleasant to drink.
Which part of the plant should I use?
Dried leaves for the infusion you drink, and leaves together with bark and young sprigs for decoctions and compresses. Leaves are gathered from midsummer to late summer, bark and sprigs in early autumn or late winter. Commercial lotions and creams are made from distillates of the bark and twigs.
Is witch-hazel essential oil safe on skin?
No — certain witch-hazel extracts, the essential oil among them, should not be applied directly on the skin. Use the distilled water, a lotion or a home-made compress instead. As with any product, side effects can appear, so patch-test first and stop if your skin reacts.
Can I use witch-hazel while pregnant?
Not without professional advice. The same goes for breastfeeding, for young children, and for anyone on prescribed medication. If you are in any doubt at all, ask a doctor or pharmacist before you start.
Image credits (edits Gaspard Lorthiois): CC BY 2.0: Yasuali Kobayashi
This information is provided for general interest and reflects the traditional use of plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are on medication, pregnant, or in any doubt, ask a healthcare professional.
Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.
